What is COOT?

The Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip (COOT) program invites incoming students to forge lasting connections while exploring the stunning Maine wilderness. Running every year over Labor Day Weekend, COOT offers an array of experiences, from rock climbing, backpacking, and canoeing to local arts exploration and whitewater rafting.

With trips covering many different levels of physical intensity and remoteness, our goal is to provide every student, from absolute beginners to experienced outdoor enthusiasts, with an adventure suited to their interests and abilities. The program is managed by the Assistant Director of Outdoor Education and Leadership in close collaboration with student leaders. Selected through a competitive process, these leaders undergo thorough training to ensure a safe trip, and they continue to provide an invaluable mentoring presence on campus throughout the academic year.

To help you get what you want out of COOT, we’ve outlined different trip categories below and what you can expect from each of them. More specifics on our remoteness, amenities, and physical exertion ratings can be found on this document.

A form will open on June 24th where you can list the trips that appeal to you the most. This form is due on July 17th. Note that these preferences will be taken into consideration but we cannot guarantee placements on your top COOT choices.

You will receive your trip placement, along with a packing list, in mid-August. If you have any questions, please first consult this FAQ page, and if your question isn’t answered there, reach out to [email protected]!

General COOT Categories:

Outdoor Exploration:

Hiking

Hiking trips set up camp in one location and take day trips to explore some of Maine's true treasures, usually via hiking. These trips range from small day trips exploring the coast in Acadia National Park, or lakes/mountains in Mount Blue State Park, for example, to longer hikes on the Appalachian Trail or Baxter State Park, but return to a home base (and their vehicles) each day. Basecamp trips range in the amount and difficulty of hiking. This is our most popular style of COOT and the type of trip we offer most.

Remoteness: Semi-remote (*Baxter is remote*)
Amenities: “Side country”
Exertion: Varies from Mild to Medium

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing trips travel to Camden Hills and Acadia National Park to rock climb and explore the area. The campgrounds feature water taps, pit toilets and fire rings. Besides spending a morning climbing with professional guides, groups opt for walks on the beach, swims in the ocean, day hikes and even the occasional trip to town.

Remoteness: Semi-remote
Amenities: “Side country”
Exertion: Medium

Surfing/SUP (Stand up Paddle Boarding)

Surfing/SUP trips stay at Hermit Island Campground in Phippsburg, where they camp in tents but have access to running water and pit toilets. Participants spend a half day with a professional guide for their designated activity and will also be able to explore the area and enjoy the beaches. The trip travels on water, where swimming is a possibility. Beginners and experienced surfers are both welcome. All gear and instruction is provided.

Remoteness: Semi-remote
Amenities: “Side country”
Exertion: Medium

Swimming experience required!

Allen Island

This trip embarks to Colby's Island Campus (Allen Island), a landscape made famous by the Wyeth family of painters. Located 5 miles off the coast of Port Clyde, expect to wake up to the sound of lobster fishermen emptying their pots in the morning! No prior outdoor experience is required and the trip has full access to the island’s amenities (indoor plumbing, running water, and a full kitchen) while sleeping outside in tents. Participants will sea kayak for a few hours out of Port Clyde with a local guide, and otherwise enjoy island life– exploring trails, beaches and watching the sunrise from the sunrise bench!

Remoteness: Semi-remote
Amenities: “Side country” (with flush toilets and kitchen)
Exertion: Medium

Swimming experience required!

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting trips go to The Forks, Maine, about an hour and a half Northwest of Colby. One day of the trip is devoted to rafting down the Kennebec River with a professional guide, and includes a barbecue lunch and slideshow of rafting photos. The days not spent rafting include exploring the nearby area through trail walks or a hike and swim at Moxie Falls, a nearby waterfall. Participants will sleep in tents, but have access to running water and a shower house.

Remoteness: Semi-remote
Amenities: “Side country” (with some frontcountry amenities, location depending!)
Exertion: Medium

Swimming experience required!

Community Exploration:

Classic Maine Camp

This COOT takes participants to Camp Tracy and Camp Kieve, where students can have a camp experience facilitated by professional staff in addition to their COOT leaders. This trip allows students to participate in many of the activities at each camp, which range from arts and crafts to camp-wide games; it also includes the chance to problem solve and team-build with fellow students by participating in the low and high ropes course features. Free time to spend by the lake and campfires with your group are often the highlights of the trip. COOTs to Tracy and Kieve stay in well-furnished bunkhouse-style cabins with bathhouses and electricity.

Remoteness: Connected
Amenities: Frontcountry
Exertion: Medium

Local Exploration with Art

Local Exploration trips ("Local X") explore all the Waterville area has to offer with a theme or partnership. Local X with ART is an exciting new partnership with Colby's own Performance, Theatre, and Dance Department and the Lyons Lab. Through this faculty partnership, students will see all that Colby has to offer, including the Colby Museum of Art and the new Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, and partake in workshops at the beautiful Bearnstow retreat center in Mt. Vernon. Interest in the creative and/or performing arts is recommended, but no experience is necessary.

Remoteness: Connected
Amenities: Frontcountry
Exertion: Mild

Local Exploration with Ecology

This trip features a guided, ecology-focused Perkins Arboretum walk as well as an excursion in canoes on a local river with a fishing guide. There is no experience necessary, and many students are surprised and delighted to learn they have a new passion! This trip stays on campus and also enjoys the chance to explore Waterville. Groups also explore local gems like French Mountain, Great Pond, Colby's Hume Center and a student favorite - Gifford's Ice Cream! Part of this trip occurs near water, but swimming ability is not a requirement.

Exertion Level: Mild-Moderate
Amenity Level: Frontcountry - Colby Dorms

Local Exploration with Fishing

This trip features an excursion in canoes on a local river with a fishing guide—no fishing experience necessary. This COOT is based out of a local lodge including cabins to sleep in and meals made by the staff. Groups also explore local gems like French Mountain, Great Pond, Colby's Hume Center and more! This trip occurs near water, but swimming ability is not a requirement.

Remoteness: Connected
Amenities: Frontcountry
Exertion: Mild

Local Exploration with Yoga and Recreation

Local Exploration trips ("Local X") explore all the Waterville area has to offer with a theme or partnership. The Local X with Yoga & Recreation trips enjoy all of the amenities and instruction offered at Colby's stunning Harold Alfond Athletic & Recreation Center (HAARC). Students participate in facilitated yoga classes that are led by a guest instructor and student leaders. These trips stay on campus and also enjoy the chance to explore Waterville, campus, and the HAARC. In previous years, students have challenged other COOTs to kickball tournaments, completed scavenger hunts, and more!

Remoteness: Connected
Amenities: Frontcountry
Exertion: Mild

Outdoor Immersion:

Backpacking

When backpacking, groups hike all day long with their camping gear in packs and move camp locations each day. These trips are well suited to students that are comfortable in the outdoors and that have hiking or backpacking experience. Beginners who are comfortable in remote settings are welcome. Hiking or backpacking experience is preferred but not necessary. Exertion ratings range from moderate to strenuous--the ability to carry weight on uneven terrain is essential. Backpacking trips will be located along Maine sections of the Appalachian Trail as well as Grafton Loop Trail.

Remoteness: Remote
Amenities: Backcountry
Exertion: Spicy to Extra Spicy

Sea Kayaking

Setting off from the tip of Deer Isle, this trip paddles through Maine's world-renowned Stonington archipelago to your home for two nights: Hell’s Half Acre Island. You will spend your days exploring beautiful, pristine islands alongside a local registered Maine sea kayak guide and your nights tent-camping under the stars. To provide a true backcountry experience, the campsites feature limited amenities. Because this trip travels on the open ocean, some sea kayaking experience or a high level of water comfort is recommended, and swimming is always a possibility!

Remoteness: Semi-remote
Amenity Level: Backcountry (no toilets, no running water, but some cell service)
Exertion: Spicy

Swimming experience required!

Canoeing

This is a backcountry trip that paddles from campsite to campsite each night on the St. Croix River, or to a basecamp on Cupsuptic Lake. Participants will camp in tents, and will travel with all necessary gear in the canoe, including a camping stove and a water purification system. Canoe experience is preferred and these trips are well suited to students that are comfortable in the outdoors. The trip travels on water, where swimming is a possibility.

Remoteness: Remote
Amenities: Backcountry
Exertion: Spicy– Extra Spicy

Swimming experience required!

Outdoor Opportunities at Colby

Contact Campus Life &
Outdoor Education

COOT Team
Office: Campus Life, Cotter Union

E-mail: [email protected]

COOT & Outdoor Activities